U.S. aims to spend money in Iran (promoting "democracy")

[UpInArms]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-04-10-us-iran_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA

WASHINGTON — For the first time in a quarter-century of estrangement from Iran, the Bush administration is openly preparing to spend government funds in that country to promote democracy.

Congress has appropriated $3 million, and the State Department is inviting proposals from "educational institutions, humanitarian groups, non-governmental organizations and individuals inside Iran to support the advancement of democracy and human rights," according to an announcement posted Friday on the Web site of the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.

<snip>

"It's a sea change," says Les Campbell, who is in charge of Middle East programs at the National Democratic Institute, which receives U.S. funds to promote democracy and human rights abroad. "We're very interested."

The U.S. government already spends nearly $15 million a year on radio and TV broadcasts into Iran in the Persian language, Farsi. But the United States has not given money directly to Iranians or U.S. organizations to work in Iran because of long-standing hostility and a U.S. prohibition on spending money there.

...more...

[BattyDem]

1. Uh-oh ... here we go!

Everytime * tries to "spread democracy" things get blown up and thousands of people die. :scared:

[notadmblnd]

2. translation........

we are funding/creating another group of terrorists to work at destabilizing Iran and eliminte anyone who stands in the way of US interests.

[cthrumatrix]

3. dont' for get...Ritter said that chimpy signed off on "June Iraq War Plan"

[leveymg]

4. U.S. aims to spend money in Iran (dropping bombs)

:nuke:

[Lizzie Borden]

6. Took the words outta my mouth!

[UpInArms]

5. related: US Denies Iran Democracy Money is Interference

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-04-11-voa65.cfm

The State Department Monday rejected Iranian charges that a planned U.S. program to promote democracy in Iran would interfere in that country's internal affairs. The U.S. Congress has appropriated $3 million for the effort.

Officials here say the $3 million Iran program would be no different from other U.S. efforts to promote democratization around the world, and they're rejecting Iranian charges it would violate the 1981 Algiers accords which ended the U.S.-Iran hostage crisis.

Iranian officials have been sharply critical of a State Department announcement issued last Friday soliciting bids from non-governmental groups and individuals inside Iran for U.S. funding to support the advancement of democracy and human rights there.

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammed Javad Zarif, Sunday described the plan as a clear violation of the Algiers accords.

As part of the arrangement to secure the release of 52 hostages from the U.S embassy in Tehran, the United States pledged not to intervene directly or indirectly, either politically, or militarily, in Iran's internal affairs.

...more...

[Moderator]

7. kick to combine

[emad]

8. Washington gives $3m to 'boost democracy in Iran'

The Independent
By Rupert Cornwell
12 April 2005


In a striking departure, the US has earmarked $3m (£1.6m) to promote democracy in Iran - a small sum but one that has been denounced by Tehran as impermissible meddling by Washington in its affairs.

The money has been appropriated by Congress, and the State Department announced last week that it was inviting educational and humanitarian groups, as well as NGOs and individuals inside Iran, to submit proposals "to support the advancement of democracy and human rights".

Iran and the US have had no diplomatic relations since 1979, when Iranian students took over the US embassy in Tehran. The announcement, however, is a natural follow-up to last year's Greater Middle East initiative that seeks to further free speech and democracy across the region, and President Bush's promise to Iranians in his second inaugural address that "as you stand for your liberty, America stands with you".

Nevertheless, it breaks with a US undertaking, given as part of the 1981 Algiers accord that secured the release of 52 American hostages, that Washington would not intervene, directly or indirectly, in Iran's internal affairs.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=628573

[robcon]

9. Anyone who believes that it is $3 million, and that it just started...

will believe anything.

I think the U.S. has been very active with the Iranian opposition for decades, and the $3 million is peanuts. This time the U.S. announced it publicly (probably for its affect on the regime and the opposition) but this, and a lot more, has been going on since 1979, IMO.

[renaissanceguy]

10. It's more like...

"Be like us or DIE."


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/479723

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MidwestTransplant]

12. That only buys 3 Tomahawk missles? I figure they would expect to need

more than that.

[Moderator]

13. kick to combine

[SillyGoose]

14. US funds 'to back Iran democracy'

The US is to channel money directly to Iranian groups promoting democracy in Iran for the first time in 25 years.

Educational and humanitarian groups will be eligible for the funds - some $3m - the state department has said.

Iran has condemned the plan as interference in its affairs and a violation of a 1981 accord with the US.


Under the accord, the US pledged "not to intervene directly or indirectly, politically or militarily in Iran's internal affairs".

more at link


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4435699.stm

[madrchsod]

15. will iran send us money

to promote democracy?

[Roland99]

16. Doubtful...but maybe Cuba will

[Javaman]

18. Hmmm, just like the money we channeled to the Kurds...

Before the war in Iraq started.

You know, this would be amusing if it wasn't for the fact that moron* and his room full of dopes didn't follow the same damn script each time.

I predict next will be a round of UN security councel bullshit meetings, now that Bolton is sure to be in at the UN.

[Zerex71]

17. If it's anything like the "democracy" in Iraq, they are in for trouble.

You know, seriously, I really wish someone would knock off the cabal. If ridding the world of a dozen of the cards in that deck would save the lives of tens of thousands, I'm all for it.

[mutus_frutex]

19. I wonder, why not spend that money in Saudi Arabia?

I mean, Iran has a semblance of democracy, they have an elected president and an elected body of representatives. Yes, it is a democracy under the tutelage of a theocracy, but it's way better than the conditions in SA. Women can vote in Iran, for crying out loud!

How can people buy this stuff, then what happens is what happened in Cuba: when the government cracks down on these foreign supported agents, they are accused of human rights violations. What would the US do is Iran tried to promote theocracy here?

If there is one thing that pisses me of is hypocrisy and double standards.